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Diminutive Leaping Stag Weathervane
Northeast, ca. late 19th century. Sheet copper and cast zinc, with a verdigris surface and traces of gilding. The dynamic stag shown leaping over a pine tree and rock, with well modeled antlers and face. The antlers, head, and tail cast in zinc to provide more detail than sheet copper. Note the outer portion of the ears are copper, the inner ears zinc, which must have provided a neat contrast when newly made.
Excellent condition with no repairs. Smaller, can-be-put anywhere size of about 26 inches long, the custom museum base about 29 inches. Height including base about 21 ½ inches to the top of the antlers.
From a fine Maine collection; long ago Eldred Auctions.).
Rare Form
“Scalloped” Blue Box
.....SOLD
New England, ca. 1820-1840.
Thick-walled ash with pine top and bottom Original dry two-shades-of-blue in the design of scallops or swags on the side, echoed on the top, a rare and very appealing design I have not seen previously. The impact heightened by the impressive size of about 13 inches in diameter x 5 ½ tall.
Structurally superb condition. Despite paint wear (as shown) a most impactful and perhaps unique survivor.
RARE EARLY TABLETOP
LIGHTING STAND
IN BLUE PAINT
.....sale pending
Probably New England, possibly Mid-Atlantic, ca. late 18th/early 19th century.
Blue paint on maple and pine. Rarity enhanced by the unusual twin-candlearms holding 4 tinned-sheet iron candle cups, the cups pressure-fitted within receiving holes in the arms. The thread-turned column supported by a stepped base, the column joined to the base by a wedged square tenon. The candlearms visually lightened by tapering from the column to the edge.
Made to raise and lower candle height from a table or chest, the height to the top of the column just 18 1/4 inches, the base about 8 inches square.
Having 4 candle cups in this period was quite the extravagance given that every candle had to be hand made, and therefore scarce and expensive.
Terrific structural condition, period wear to paint as expected. Early American painted lighting devices of this caliber are seldom found, let alone in blue paint.
A Fine and Rare
Family Record
.....SOLD
Massachusetts, probably Boston area, signed lower right by the artist, Thomas Johnston, dated 1810.
Watercolor and ink on laid paper.
Compositionally rich, embellished with intricate borders, highlighted by the beautiful panel showing what is likely the family home, supporting roundels celebrating the marriage of Samuel Tenny (b. 1764) and Elizabeth Merrill (b. 1766) and the birth dates of their children. Research indicates that they were a Massachusetts family.
The artist, Thomas Johnston, was likely the grandson of famed colonial craftsman Thomas Johnston (1708-1767--an ornamental painter to the elite of Boston--a decorator, japanner, engraver, painter of coats of arms, and much more). His children worked in his shop and learned his skills, passing those learnings to their children.
Terrific condition. Light toning. Long ago glued down to card and period frame backboard replaced. Frame probably original, frame size about 13 ½ inches x 11 ½. Long time Maine collection from Pam Boynton.
Superb Graphic Wallpaper Box
with Fitted
Pin Cushion
.....SOLD
Pennsylvania, ca. 1840. Typical early construction of hand-stitched pressboard. Bold graphic decoration on soft-blue ground.
An equally decorative removable fabric-pin cushion fits perfectly within the interior. Box size about 5 ½ inches diameter x 4 ¼ tall.
Beautiful Small
Profile Portrait
Young Woman
Seated in a Chair
.....SOLD
Northeast, possibly Pennsylvania, ca 1820.
Oil on Wooden Panel.
The attractive, confident, and relaxed young woman rendered half-length, elaborately dressed with lace collar and shawl, holding a book in her left hand (to communicate that she was literate) while seated in a paint-decorated thumb back Windsor chair.
There is a warmth and sophistication to this portrait. Her face shows just the right color-tone and softness, and her well-developed hand with slender fingers balances the color of her face.
Presented in a period black-over-red grained-painted frame that is likely original, the surface and patina of which works synergistically with the portrait. Minor touchup. Frame about 10 5/8 inches x 8 5/8. From a long-time private Maine collection..
Brilliant Folk Art
Hooked Rug
Probably Northeast,
Civil War period
ca. 1860-1870.
.....sale pending
Wools and cottons.
Clearly the maker loved flowers. Fortunately for us she also had the vision and the skill to transform that love into art. Not formulaic like so many, but unique, from her own imagination. She used fragments of repurposed materials, likely scraps from worn-out clothing or discarded by weaving mills. The result is a folk art triumph with timeless elegance that also fits a simple modern aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for both historic or contemporary homes.
I can’t adequately describe what she created better than your own eyes can see, so I will not try.
Professionally mounted and ready to hang. About 53 inches tall x 32 wide. This authentic antique folk art thriller will transform your room , as it did mine, with boldness, color, and a soft texture. .
Boldly Painted Pair
Leather Fire Buckets
Signed by the Maker!
& Rarely Found BAG.
.....SOLD
Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1807.
Oil on leather.
Red rimmed, the fronts with spread wing eagles clutching olive branches and arrows above banners reading "JEFFERSON FIRE SOCIETY", the name "S. S. SWEETSER," and dated "1807, " the backs painted "CHARLESTOWN" vertically along the sewn seam.
Accompanying the buckets is a draw string canvas bag which would have been used to carry precious possessions from the fire. Very early in their life, the buckets and the bag were transferred from one owner to another, and just the names on each were updated to that of the new owner.
Each bucket intaglio impressed:
S. S. RAYMOND
MAKER
CHARLESTOWN
.....MORE